Sanitation project

LOCAL Government and Housing Minister Colonel Samuela Saumatua has visited Vatoa squatter settlement in Nasinu to inspect progress on work undertaken to provide proper sanitation at the settlement.

According to a government statement, new sanitary toilets have replaced pit latrines and water sealed toilets.

As well, the settlement has sanitary facilities that connect the settlement to an established sewer system.

"We are living in urban communities, therefore we must treat sanitation as a public health priority," Col. Saumatua said.

The statement said a similar sanitation program was being pursued by the Lami Town Council in Kalekana.

These programs are operating in conjunction with town and city councils.

Meanwhile, housing director Kolinio Bola highlighted that the City Wide Program was designed to address land tenure, provision of water, electricity, roads and sanitation.

"Home improvements are also considered but the onus is on the homeowner and that they are trying to work with financial institutions to secure affordable loans to facilitate home improvements," he said.

Under the City Wide program places like Kalekana, Lami, Nayawa Village in Sigatoka and Taiperia (Natabua) in Lautoka alongside towns and the cities are involved in the upgrade of housing in their own municipalities.